Apple Partners with Alibaba to Bring AI Features to iPhones in China

Apple has reportedly partnered with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to introduce AI features to iPhones in China, according to The Information.

The move comes at a time when iPhone sales in China have declined, partly due to a lack of advanced AI capabilities. With local competitors like Huawei integrating AI into their smartphones, Apple aims to stay competitive by leveraging Alibaba’s vast consumer data.

Apple initially considered working with Baidu, Tencent, ByteDance, and DeepSeek but ultimately chose Alibaba. The partnership is expected to help the Cupertino-based giant navigate China’s strict regulatory environment while enhancing Siri, search, and personalisation features for Chinese users.

The delay in Apple Intelligence in China was due to its reliance on ChatGPT, which is unavailable in China. 

By collaborating with Alibaba, Apple may accelerate AI feature approvals and make iPhones more appealing in China. However, the deal also signals a rare shift for Apple, as it will need to integrate third-party AI into its tightly controlled ecosystem.

This partnership highlights the growing importance of AI in the smartphone market and Apple’s efforts to maintain its foothold in China. China is Apple’s second-largest market after the US, and securing a strong AI strategy in the region is crucial for the company’s competitiveness.

Previously, Apple Intelligence came under fire for sending out an incorrect notification on the iPhone regarding a BBC news report about the arrest of Luigi Mangione, the lead suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. “Luigi Mangione shoots himself…” read a part of the notification. Following this, Apple paused the feature.